Quebec's Plan Nord Promises A Mining Boom

The business community — both inside and outside Quebec — breathed a collective sigh of relief Monday night when Philippe Couillard's Liberals won a formidable majority government.

But for the resource sector, the defeat of the Parti Quebecois means more than just the removal of the risk of a separation referendum. It means the imminent acceleration of a massive mining development plan that will see an area in northern Quebec twice the size of France — a full 72 per cent of Quebec’s land — transformed over the next quarter century.

It’s called Plan Nord, and it was initially introduced in 2011 by the previous Quebec Liberal government of Jean Charest, whose successor, Pauline Marois, scuttled the project when the PQ came to power.

Now the plan is back. Couillard made a slightly revised version of the plan a central part of his electoral platform.

“Unfortunately the Parti Quebecois basically killed it when they came into office. They have a hostile attitude towards the mining industry, and private activity in general, so it wasn’t long before the signal was sent that this was over.”

The original plan called for $80 billion in investment over 25 years, including $47 billion towards renewable energy and $33 billion towards mining and infrastructure. The Liberals forecast it would create some 20,000 jobs over that period.

The report identified 11 new projects that could be launched inside the 1.2-million square kilometre area covered by Plan Nord in the coming years, mining for everything from gold and platinum to uranium and diamonds.

Couillard has made two significant changes to the plan, one being revenue-sharing with the regions, the other a $1-billion investment in Quebec contractors to ensure they can build the equipment for miners. The goal is to “build a complete mining industry,” he said.

The plan has raised concerns with environmentalists. Though it calls for 50 per cent of the designated area to be set aside for conservation by 2035, activists say the number is arbitrary, and the plan doesn’t identify specific areas to be protected.

First Nations groups are ambivalent. The regional chief of Quebec’s First Nations, Ghislain Picard, told the McGill Daily in 2011 that while the plans “offers great perspectives in terms of employment,” the government had not satisfied First Nations' fears about environmental degradation.

Couillard made it clear during the campaign he means to move ahead with Plan Nord quickly.

“As soon as we’re elected, we’re going to go out on an international mission to the mining industry to essentially tell them the simple message that (the mining sector in) Quebec is back in business and we’re open to investors, we want investors,” he said.

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Quebec Election 2014 Day In Pictures

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A Parti Quebecois supporter watches early election results at the party's reception on April 7 in Montreal, Que.

Quebec Solidaire supporters react to the provincial election results at the party's headquarters in Montreal on April 7 following the provincial election.

Quebec Solidaire supporters react to the provincial election results at the party's headquarters in Montreal on April 7. The Liberal Party won Quebec's legislative elections Monday, in a crushing defeat for the main separatist party and major setback for the cause of independence in the French-speaking province. Official results showed the Liberals, staunch supporters of Canadian unity, won or were leading the race in about 75 of the of National Assembly's 125 seats, outstripping the separatist Parti Quebecois.

Partial election results show PQ Leader Pauline Marois falling behind her Liberal opponent at the PQ headquarters in Montreal on April 7 in Montreal.

Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois acknowledges the crowd at the party's election headquarters on April 7 in Montreal, Que.

Quebec Liberal party supporters react as they watch the results on election night on April 7 in Saint-Felicien, Quebec. The Liberal Party won Quebec's legislative elections Monday, in a crushing defeat for the main separatist party and major setback for the cause of independence in the French-speaking province.

A Parti Quebecois supporter reacts as he watches early election results at the party's reception on April 7 in Montreal, Que.

Riot police cross Ste-Catherine Street as they prepare for rallies in downtown Montreal, Quebec on April 7 following the provincial election.

A Parti Quebecois supporter cheers as he watches early results of election nite at the party's reception on April 7 in Montreal, Que.

PQ candidate Pierre Karl Peladeau stands on the stage before PQ leader Pauline Marois' speech on April 7 in Montreal. Marois lost her seat in Charlevoix-Cote-de-Beaupre to Liberal candidate Caroline Simard.

Quebec Solidaire co-leaders Andres Fontecilla, left, and Francoise David wave following their speeches in Montreal, Quebec on April 7 after the provincial election.

A Parti Quebecois supporter watches early television coverage of election night at the party's reception on April 7 in Montreal, Que.

Pierre Karl Peladeau arrives at his election headquarters with Julie Snyder and their children after winning his seat in the riding of Saint-Jerome north of Montreal on April 7.

Parti Quebecois supporters react as they watches early election results at the party's reception April 7 in Montreal, Que.

Quebec Liberal Party Leader Philippe Couillard casts his ballot on April 7 in St-Felicien Que. Quebecers are going to the polls for a general election.

Coalition Avenir du Quebec leader Francois Legault casts his ballot on April 7 in L'Assomption, Que. as Quebecers go to the polls for the provincial election.

Quebec Solidaire spokesperson Francoise David holds up her ballot prior to depositing it in the ballot box on April 7 in Montreal. Quebecers go to the polls to elect a new provincial government.

PQ leader Pauline Marois smiles as she casts her vote in Charlevoix-Cote-de-Beaupre riding on April 7.